Hundreds of incoming freshmen and transfer students milled around the Aloha High School auditorium on Tuesday, some reuniting with old friends, some looking to make new ones on their first day.

Though about 160 more students may fill Aloha High School's halls this year than expected, Principal Ken Yarnell said the outlook is still better than previous years.

With the passage of the the Beaverton School District's local option levy in May, class sizes will be smaller at the high school, which may serve about 2,090 students this school year, according to school's current enrollment.

The previous projection for the school's enrollment was 1,932, he said, but the high school may receive extra funding from the district if the new, larger projection holds steady.

Despite a larger student body than expected, the high school will continue to move forward, rolling out new programs.

In addition to conforming to the new, more rigorous Common Core State Standards, the school is also rebuilding its science curriculum, implementing learning teams for teachers, restructuring grading techniques and working to improve the school's 73 percent graduation rate, starting with freshmen.

Yarnell said the transition to high school is crucial, because freshman year often defines a student's high school experience.

"If you're not off to a good start, it's hard to dig yourself out of that hole," he said.

On Tuesday, freshmen and transfer students filled the school for a first-day orientation. Upperclassmen will start on Wednesday.

In the auditorium, about 525 freshmen and 75 transfer students gathered to get the run-down on their new school. Yarnell encouraged them to get involved in clubs and sports and work hard, even if it meant logging two or three hours of homework every night.

Later, Warrior Crew members (upperclassmen nominated by teachers), led tours, games and icebreakers to help students get acclimated to the building and their fellow classmates.

Senior Madison Knudsen said she wanted to be a crew member because she thought it would help her overcome her shyness.

"I love helping them," she said of the freshmen. "... It helped me a lot when I was a freshman."

Freshman Elisabeth Baruno said she was slightly overwhelmed by the number of people at the school, but she was looking forward to meeting new people, as well as taking ceramics and advanced placement human geography.

German Chavez, Omar Garcia and Noe Vasquez, all junior transfers from Hillsboro High School, said they transferred to Aloha because they heard it was a good school.

Garcia said he also transferred to get away from some friends who were distracting him from his studies. Vasquez said he's a linebacker for the Aloha football team, and Chavez will start a new job this week in addition to his new classes.

Alonzo Miles, a senior on the Warrior Crew, has been through it all. He runs track, and he's looking forward to a busy, fun-filled year, complete with prom.

"It's my senior year," he said. I just kind of want to give back. ...Our seniors this year are really passionate."

Being part of the Warrior Crew and mentoring younger students is a good experience, he said.

"Go Warriors!" he said.

-- Anna Marum

In a previous version of this article, Aloha High School Principal Ken Yarnell was misquoted in regards to getting students off to a good start.